Abstract Madre Verde Private Preserve, located in Palmares (Alajuela, Costa Rica) protects a forest relict surrounded by pastures, bushes and abandoned agriculture grounds. An inventory was conducted in this preserve to determine the orchid species diversity, prepare orchid illustration materials, analyze geographic distribution and factors affecting identified species conservation, and collect spirit and dry herbarium specimens. High quality photos from all 109 observed orchid species in 46 genera were prepared. Genera with greater species numbers are Epidendrum and Maxillaria s.l. (both with 12 spp.). Most species (86%) are epiphytic and eight species are endemic to Costa Rica. Months with most species flowering were February, April, May, August and November during the study year 2011-2012. Geographical and altitudinal ranges from two data bases (CRBIO and IABIN) and the Costa Rica’s Plant Manual were compared to the results of the present study, so we could broaden knowledge on these data for several species: 14 species were found in the preserve at higher elevations than in previous locations. Moreover, other five species were found at lower elevations than herbarium and data base records. Nine of the species observed were previously not collected in the whole Alajuela province. The most striking result was the finding of both Lepanthes guardiana and L. minutissima, which where illustrated and collected before this study only ca. 1867, there were no ecological or precised collection data, the only illustration of the former and specimens of the latter were in Vienna Herbarium (W) and no one could heretofore find them again in Costa Rica or elsewhere. We demonstrate that even small private preserves in very disturbed areas can protect small and rare orchids and many other plant species. We recommend continuing investigation on local floras and trying to reproduce endangered species from critical landscapes, in order to avoid local or total extinction. Instruction for preserve visitors and surrounding humans populations are under the activities that can guarantee species survival in the study area.

Resumen La Reserva Madre Verde (RMV), ubicada en Palmares, Alajuela, Costa Rica, protege un reducto boscoso rodeado de pastizales, matorrales y terrenos de cultivo abandonados. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la diversidad de especies de orquídeas en la RMV mediante un inventario; además, analizamos la distribución y los factores que afectan la conservación de las especies identificadas, se prepararon especímenes (secos o en líquido) de las especies florecidas para herbario y se tomaron fotos de todas las especies; en total 109 en 46 géneros. Los géneros con mayor número de especies son Epidendrum y Maxillaria s.l. (ambos con 12 spp.). El La mayoría de especies son epífitas y ocho son endémicas en Costa Rica. Los meses con mayor floración fueron febrero, abril, mayo, agosto y noviembre. Se compararon datos de distribución geográfica y altitudinal de dos bases de datos (CRBio e IABIN) y del Manual de Plantas de Costa Rica con datos de este estudio; esto permitió ampliar el conocimiento sobre algunas especies: 14 especies se encontraron a mayores elevaciones; otras cinco especies se hallaron a menores elevaciones que las registradas en herbarios y bases de datos. Nueve especies no se habían recolectado anteriormente en toda la provincia de Alajuela. El aporte más significativo del estudio es el hallazgo de Lepanthes guardiana y L. minutissima, que fueron ilustradas y recolectadas ca. 1867, no existían hasta ahora datos ecológicos ni localidades precisas de recolecta, la única ilustración de la primera y los únicos especímenes conocidos de la segunda se hallaban en el Herbario W (Viena, Austria). Se recomienda continuar la investigación en áreas de la reserva no cubiertas por este estudio y seguir observando las especies que, según la literatura, no se esperaban en esta zona. Construir un vivero, cultivar especies de orquídeas amenazadas de extinción para la venta a visitantes y pobladores cercanos, informar a las comunidades aledañas sobre diversidad de orquídeas e importancia de la protección de flora y fauna locales, son actividades recomendadas para mantener los paisajes y las especies en la zona de estudio.

A Área de Preservação Permanente (APP), principal área protegida instituída por norma jurídica no Brasil, foi criada pelo Código Florestal (Lei 4.771) em 1965. Por sua importância ecológica e fornecimento de bens e serviços ambientais ao homem, as APPs são reconhecidas por suas funções técnicas como áreas que devem ser preservadas. Muitas interpretações divergem do espírito da criação da Lei, seja pelo preciosismo linguístico ou pelo uso distorcido da hermenêutica O objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar os principais pontos conflituosos do entendimento, da interpretação e da instituição das Áreas de Preservação Permanente. Concluiu-se que há, na literatura, pertinentes interpretações contrárias ao espírito da norma jurídica que institui as APPs; as APPs devem ser preservadas e, em caso de degradação, a legislação deixa patente que o passivo ambiental deve ser sanado; a intocabilidade das APPs não é inexorável, pois o CONAMA, em alguns casos, pode definir critérios para sua utilização; as intervenções em APP, permitidas por lei nos casos de utilidade pública, interesse social e atividade eventual e de baixo impacto ambiental necessitam de melhor regulamentação.

The Permanent Preservation Area (PPA), the main protected area established by law in Brazil, was established by the Forest Code (Law 4771) in 1965. Due to their ecological importance and provision of environmental goods and services to humans, the PPAs are recognized for their technical functions as areas that should be preserved. Many of these differing interpretations of the spirit of the law occur depending on the language preciosism and the distorted use of hermeneutics. The objective of this research was to analyze the main points of conflict in the interpretation, understanding and establishment of permanent preservation areas. It was concluded that there is in literature interpretations contrary to the spirit of the legal rule establishing the PPAs; the PPAs should be preserved and, in case of degradation, the legislation makes it clear that environmental liabilities should be corrected; the untouchability of the PPA is not inexorable, as the CONAMA, in some cases, may establish criteria for its use; intervention in PPA permitted by law in cases of public interest, social interest and activity and low potential environmental impact need better regulation.

La llegada de los religiosos de la Compañía de Jesús a la selva amazónica del virreinato del Perú en 1638, dio origen al establecimiento de la misión de Maynas. A través de los ciento y treinta años de su permanencia, fundaron más de un centenar de pueblos en los cuales intentaron reducir a indígenas pertenecientes a un universo cultural extraordinariamente variado. Dicha situación -aunada con otras de tipo geográfico y político- la transformaron en el más complejo e inestable de todos los proyectos evangelizadores llevados a cabo por los jesuitas en la América española. La presente contribución expone y analiza a través de la crónica del P. Manuel Uriarte la etapa final de dicha misión. Se trató de un momento de profunda crisis debido a la escasez de religiosos, el extendido azote de las pestes y las cíclicas deserciones de los indígenas a la espesura de la selva. Llegada la notificación de la expulsión, nuestro cronista no pierde el ánimo y continúa hasta el último instante edificando iglesias y tranquilizando a los naturales, los cuales se sentían atemorizados frente a las noticias que iban llegando. En la narración de los 21 misioneros de Maynas -a primera vista dispersa y desordenada- dilucidamos los sentimientos de resignación y obediencia frente a lo inevitable. Dichos sentimientos estuvieron siempre acompañados por un intenso sufrimiento al tener que abandonar a sus hijos espirituales. A pesar de todo, Uriarte no pierde nunca las esperanzas de poder volver a sus amadas misiones.

The arrival of the Jesuits to the Amazon forest of the Vicero-yalty of Peru in 1638 originated the establishment of the mission of Maynas. Through the hundred and thirty years of their stay, the missionaries founded more than a hundred towns in which they tried to subdue the natives belonging to an extraordinarily complex and varied cultural universe. This situation -combined with others of political and geographical nature- transformed the mission into the most complex and unstable of all the evangelization projects carried out by the Jesuits in Spanish America. The present contribution describes and analyzes through the chronicle of father Manuel Uriarte the final phase of this mission. Undoubtedly it was a moment of deep crisis due to the shortage of missionaries, the extended scourge of various plagues and the cyclic desertions of the natives to the depths of the forest. When the announcement of the expulsion arrived, our chronicler did not lose his spirit and continued up to the last instant building churches and calming down the inhabitants, who felt frightened because of the incoming news. In the narration -at first sight scattered and chaotic- we clarified the feelings of resignation and obedience of the twenty-one Jesuits of Maynas set against the inevitable. These feelings were always accompanied by an intense suffering, caused by the obligation to abandon of their dear spiritual sons and daughters. In spite of all, Uriarte never lost the hope to be able to return to his beloved missions.